Larrier, Gibbs Already Becoming Pals On The Court At UConn

STORRS — This is the time of year for bonding. Sterling Gibbs, who was driving from UConn back home to New Jersey, gave Terry Larrier a lift to his home in the Bronx last weekend, and it was a chance to talk about the challenge ahead.

Gibbs, a fifth-year grad student, has already been through one transfer, moving from Texas to Seton Hall and having to sit out a year. Now Larrier, who left Virginia Commonwealth after his freshman season, will have to sit out next season before he's eligible to play for the Huskies in 2016-17.

"Me and Terry had a long talk," Gibbs said, as the five newcomers met with reporters Tuesday at the Werth Family Center. "I told him that when you're sitting out, you want to really take advantage of being able to be in the gym 24/7. He has been going up against Daniel Hamilton and Rodney Purvis and the starting squad, and he's going to be playing against a top 20 team every single day — there's no better practice than that. When Terry starts playing next year, he's going to be one of the best players in the country."

The new Huskies, Gibbs and Shonn Miller, both fifth-year transfers eligible to play right away, Larrier and incoming freshmen Jalen Adams and Steven Enoch, both of whom arrived last week, are playing pickup games in the late afternoon.

Larrier, a 6-foot-7 small forward, chose VCU over UConn two years ago. He averaged 18.5 minutes, 6.6 points and three rebounds as a freshman. When coach Shaka Smart left for Texas, Larrier began looking for a new school.

The highlights, as previously announced, include games against Maryland, which could be ranked...

The finishing touches have been applied to UConn's 13-game nonconference men's basketball schedule, and it includes an impressive mix of high-major opponents, mid-major opponents and in-state opponents.

The highlights, as previously announced, include games against Maryland, which could be ranked...

(DOM AMORE)

"Shaka Smart started recruiting me a lot sooner than [Kevin Ollie] at UConn," Larrier said. "When K.O. got into the picture, it was just a matter of my relationships with the two head coaches and I really felt much closer to Shaka. This time around, it came down to UConn and Maryland and my relationship was much closer with K.O. than with Mark Turgeon. I like what [Ollie has] done with the program, the style of play fits me better and I feel I can excel here."

STORRS — UConn had a fruitful spring, landing three significant, experienced players and their first 2016 high school recruit.

Rodney Purvis, in his third year on campus, has often filled the role of Husky host with the most — theone waiting, smiling on the front porch to greet prospective teammates...

STORRS — UConn had a fruitful spring, landing three significant, experienced players and their first 2016 high school recruit.

Rodney Purvis, in his third year on campus, has often filled the role of Husky host with the most — theone waiting, smiling on the front porch to greet prospective teammates...

(DOM AMORE)

Though some players are granted waivers by the NCAA and allowed to play right away for various reasons, Larrier didn't fit those criteria.

"I would definitely love to play," Larrier said, "but for me and my situation, I think it's beneficial for me to sit out this year and work on my body, get better as a player and get more mature."

Nonconference Games

UConn released its nonconference schedule. The highlights include games against Maryland, which could be ranked No.1, in the Jimmy V. Classic at Madison Square Garden on Dec. 8; Ohio State at Gampel Pavilion on Dec. 12; at Texas on Dec. 29; and vs. Georgetown at the XL Center on Jan. 13. In addition, the Huskies will play in the Battle 4 Atlantis in the Bahamas, a field that includes Syracuse, Gonzaga, Michigan, Washington, Texas and Texas A&M.

UConn will begin with exhibition games at home against Tampa on Nov. 1 and New Haven on Nov. 7.

The regular season will begin at home against Maine on Nov. 13, followed by New Hampshire on Nov. 17 and Furman on Nov. 21. The Huskies then head to the Bahamas to play Nov. 25, 26 and 27.

Adams Eager

Though they play the same position, Adams was happy to hear Gibbs is coming to UConn. "When I saw he committed, I was real excited because at UConn, everyone's position-less. I'm not worried about starting;personally, that's not a big deal for me. I'm just worried about the team being good, and me being able to learn and get better as the years go on." … Miller may come from the Ivy League, where he was one of the best players, but his team, Cornell, was not married to the style associated with that league. "At Cornell, we tried to play faster," Miller said. … Hamilton is one of 20 invited to the first Nike Basketball Academy in Santa Monica, Calif., Friday. Nike has combined its series of positional skills camps — Hamilton was at Kevin Durant's camp for wings in 2013. … Adams and Amida Brimah will join a group of college players counseling younger players at the Adidas Nations camp at Long Beach, Calif., July 30-Aug. 30. … New Jersey guard Tyus Battle, a five-star, Class of 2016 recruit UConn has pursued very hard for several years, has de-committed from Michigan and re-opened his recruitment. Battle, 6-5, visited Syracuse last weekend; UConn could get another shot. … A new lighting system, which will make various effects, has been installed in Gampel Pavilion.